Jacqui Smith: communities “crusade” against CCTV

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has written to the Grauniad criticising those who oppose some of her more controversial measures – the ID database, expanded CCTV, confining all suspected sex offenders to a single bedsit in North London*, and so on.

CCTV has helped to reclaim our town centres and public spaces for the law-abiding majority. It plays a key role in crime prevention and reducing the fear of crime – and CCTV footage was crucial in prosecuting those who planned suicide bombings in London on 21 July 2005. I know of no community in the country that has yet to join the crusade of some in the Conservative party for fewer CCTV cameras. Quite the reverse.